Front

DESCRIPTION
The inboard end of the axle shaft is connected to the transmission via a constant velocity joint (Free-ring tripod joint: FTJ) which provides flexible capabilities in the longitudinal direction while the outboard end is supported by taper roller bearings located inside the housing via a bell joint (BJ) which features a large operating angle. Since the drive shaft employs constant velocity joints, it provides smooth, even rotation of the drive wheels without any vibration. The bearing utilizes a preloaded, non-adjustable tapered roller unit design. The hub is fitted to the tapered roller bearing inside the housing. The BJ's spindle is "serration-fitted" to the hub and is clinched to it with axle nuts. After front axle parts have been repaired, toe-in should be adjusted. The disc rotor is an external mounting type. It is secured together with the disc wheel using hub bolts to facilitate maintenance of the disc rotor.





OPERATION
The constant-velocity joint on the transmission side uses a free ring tripod joint (FTJ) design which slides a maximum angle of 23° in the axial direction. The FTJ features low sliding resistance that imparts engine vibration to vehicle body, especially during idling in the "D" range. The constant-velocity joint on the tire side is a bell joint (BJ) which provides a maximum operating angle of 46°.





CONSTRUCTION OF FREE-RING TRIPOD JOINT (FTJ)
The FTJ is an improved version of the tripod joint (TJ) to minimize sliding resistance. In the previous TJ design, the roller rotated only in the axial direction. When the joint was subjected to a "bending" angle in the sliding direction, the roller slipped causing resistance. In the new FTJ design, the outer surface of the roller is provided with a free ring to minimize roller slippage, greatly reducing sliding resistance.